Operations Manager

Operations Manager | Colchester | Up to £70,000

Our client is a well-established precision engineering and manufacturing business based on the outskirts of Colchester, producing a range of precision-engineered parts and equipment for demanding customer specifications.

They are recruiting an Operations Manager to take full accountability for manufacturing and production operations across the site, leading a team of 100+ staff across press shop, assembly, moulding, die-cast and maintenance departments, plus responsibility for Health & Safety, Quality and Warehouse functions.

Reporting to the Finance and Operations Director, this role sits on the senior management team and carries 5 direct reports.

The Role

• Full accountability for safety, quality, cost and delivery across all production departments
• Direct oversight of Health & Safety, Quality, Maintenance and Warehouse functions
• Lead, coach and develop a large multi-department manufacturing team, setting objectives and KPIs and reviewing ongoing performance
• Manage and update production plans daily, weekly and monthly to meet customer requirements
• Liaise with departmental managers on stock throughput and resource planning
• Drive continuous improvement through Lean Manufacturing and modern manufacturing principles, identifying process and training deficiencies
• Perform root cause analysis and resolve operational problems
• Contribute to manufacturing strategy, policy and procedure at senior management level
• Ensure compliance with health, safety and environmental policy and legal requirements
• Deploy technical skills, resources and systems (including external resource where required) to deliver projects

What We're Looking For

• Significant experience as an Operations Manager, Production Manager, Manufacturing Manager or similar, ideally leading a large multi-department production team
• Lean/Six Sigma Green Belt (or equivalent) in lean manufacturing
• Experience within ISO-accredited environments, ideally ISO 9001 and ISO 13485
• Thorough knowledge of manufacturing/production processes and engineering documentation
• Understanding of warehouse best practice and logistics
• Sound understanding of health and safety legal requirements
• Confident using MS Office and ERP/MRP systems, with the ability to coach others in their use
• Strong written and oral communication skills, with a proactive, hands-on approach to problem solving

This is a senior operational leadership role within a business that designs and manufactures precision engineering parts and equipment, offering genuine input into future manufacturing strategy at site level.

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